On its website RotorMotion describes Mr Barnes, who had worked for them since
1997, as one of the country’s most experienced Agusta pilots and instructor,
with clients often requesting him for “both his piloting skills and his
relaxed, charming manner”.

A woman, believed to be a family friend of Capt. Barnes, speaking from Mr
Barnes’s gated, red-brick country farmhouse in Goddard’s Green, Berks., said
she had “no comment” about the tragedy.

A marked Metropolitan Police car arrived at the £500,000 property shortly
before 3pm and was allowed through the electronic gates.

Spokesman for Rotormotion Paul Blezard said: “He was a reliable and
experienced pilot and this is a huge tragedy.

“He had a perfect record and the aircraft he was flying in didn’t have any
recorded problems.”